NO FRENCH AID FOR LOYALISTS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 99, 20 January 1939, Page 9

NO FRENCH AID FOR LOYALISTS

Spanish Frontier To Remain Closed

DALADIER STANDS BY NON-INTERVENTION

Left Wing Clamours Ignored

By Telegraph.— Press Asen.—Copyright PARIS, January 18. > Despite Left Wing clamour, the Premier, M. Daladier, has definitely decided against the opening of the Pyrenees frontier for the passage of arms to Spain. The Foreign Minister. M. Bonnet, at a meeting of the Cabinet today;- upheld a policy of strict nonintervention, quoting Signor Mussolini’s undertaking to Mr. Chamberlain that he would withdraw all forces after the war and respect -the status quo in the Mediterranean. The Cabinet approved, though some Ministers did so reluctantly. It was also agreed that French foreign policy must be based on the protection of France’s vital imperial interests against attack and the closest everyday collaboration with Great Britain.

The foreign affairs debate will be resumed in the Chamber on Thursday. It is becoming clear that the vote, W’hich is expected on Friday, will really be for or against intervention. It is hinted that the Government will evade a direct issue by promising “to examine the situation with the greatest vigilance.” \ The Rightist deputy, M. Henri de Kerillis, sent a letter to M. Daladier asking for a secret session of the Chamber so that the military chiefs can give an assurance or otherwise whether it is possible that France alone or with Britain, can assume the defence of the empire, already threatened by the Italo-German claims.

MINISTERS SURVEY THE SITUATION

Mussolini’s Assurance

Reiterated

LONDON, January 18. v The Australian Associated Press says that Mr. Chamberlain told the Cabinet that events of the next few months might reveal his visit to Rome as the turning-point in European affairs. He proposed, to invite Count Ciano, the Italian Foreign Minister, to return the visit after the President of France, M. Lebrun, and his wife had visited London.

Mr. Chamberlain announced that he would inform Parliament of Signor Mussolini's assurance that Italy would respect the Anglo-Italian agreement in Its entirety. He added that, while the Rome-Berlin ties were undoubtedly strong, there did not appear to be. any concrete agreement on future policy. There was no possibility of Italy withdrawing her troops from-Spain before the end of the war, but there was little likelihood of increased intervention.

Lord Halifax stated that at present there was no indication of the Spanish issue causing a crisis in France, though there was an agitation, for the removal of the Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet, from the Cabinet. His successor would probably be M. -Chauteinps, whose views were not vitally different from M. Bonnet’s.

WARSHIPS SOLD TO REBELS BY ITALY

Loyalist Protest To

Britain

LONDON, January 18.

The Spanish Government has sent a Note -to the Foreign Office expressing amazement and protest against the silence of tjie Non-Intervention Committee regarding Italy’s sale of four destroyers and two submarines to the rebels. It is requested that the Note should be handed on to the Committee.

The charges are based on the 1938 issue of Jane’s “Fighting Ships.” It is declared that it is difficult to believe that Britain, is not aware of the sales in view of the excellence of her naval intelligence.’